Really rather early material from The Fall here: Grotesque (After The Gramme) is only their third album, putting it in the first ten percent of their studio catalogue. 1980 Fall are still extremely direct, with the line-up including Steve Hanley and Marc Riley at this point. Reissue includes extra tracks, including contemporary singles and a Mark E. Smith ‘self-interview’

REVIEWS

"Grotesque" is the third album by The Fall and is one of my favourites. It was originally released in 1980. The Fall were a huge influence on one of my favourite bands, Pavement. Here you can see where Pavement 'borrowed' a few ideas. It opens with the brilliant "How I Wrote Elastic Man", the riff of which was lifted and neatened up by Pavement for "Folk Jam" from "Terror Twilight". Also, "New Face In Hell" is where Pavement stole one or two ideas for "Conduit For Sale" from "Slanted & Enchanted". Apart from the Pavementy bits, other highlights include "Totally Wired" and "City Hobgoblins". I think this is good place to start for one wishing to build a Fall collection.

Grab our email alerts

Feeling social?

We're not your normal record shop...

Please note that whilst we're always happy to see you, we are not a normal record shop where you can come and browse the stacks.

There are no stacks.

Nope, instead we are basically a kind of brutalist Argos for vinyl records. So, instead of trudging all the way to sunny Holbeck in anticipation of being able to flick through shelf after shelf of releases, please place your orders online first and use our 'In-store collect' option in the checkout.